There is more to Somalia than war, looting and piracy . I grew up in an area that hosts one of the largest Somali communities in the country. I used to enjoy going to “Somali Town” near Sea-Tac airport for an espresso and chat. The coffee was always better than Starbucks and the conversations enlightening....

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Although guest columnist Chris Vance dismisses an income tax in his opening statement . A progressive income tax (or other kinds of progressive taxes on capital or wealth) is far more fair and effective than property taxes. The main reason is that property taxes are a flat tax applied equally to all property-owners regardless of...

Jonathan Martin in his column seems to lament the fact that, in his estimation, more left-leaning candidates might garner City Council positions . He gives new Councilmember Kshama Sawant credit for helping foster an increasing turn to the left. Her “socialist firebrand message” has no doubt turned local city politics upside down. Many of us...

I see that Seattle intends to give city employees a month to spend with their newborns . I suppose it’s a good idea to have some contact with their children before they are turned over to day cares until they start school. But I’m not sure why employees should be paid for it. I was...

The article on removal of parking spaces confirms what has long been visible: Seattle’s war on cars . Whatever the problem, the solution is the removal of auto traffic lanes and parking. The policy is indistinguishable from one whose goal would be to strangle traffic and exclude private automobiles. I’d hoped the departure of “Mayor...

Regarding the Richland florist who declined to participate in a same-sex wedding on grounds of religious beliefs, I find it a very sad story . Here's a woman who's had a good relationship with her customer, Robert Ingersoll, for years. She's accepted him for who he is. Now he suddenly asks her to do something...

I applaud Franklin High School’s instructional council for voting to switch to a more gender-neutral graduation ceremony . It was exciting to see that other Seattle area schools have followed suit and I hope that this becomes the norm instead of an exception to the rule as time goes on. In light of the tragic...

The derailment of the hyped newer, safer oil tank cars that exploded and burned in West Virginia, with 2400 people evacuated from their homes and a house destroyed is proof there are no safe oil tank cars for Bakken crude . And the explosive derailment in Ontario, Canada, adds to the number of explosive oil-train...

It’s hard to believe that it was just seven years ago when I was living in my car relying on food stamps to feed me and my toddler . I couldn’t find a job and was desperate to work anywhere. That’s when I submitted an application to work as an overnight stocker at Wal-Mart. I...

I appreciated Danny Westneat’s piece column on homelessness in Seattle and what can be learned from Utah . Homelessness traditionally has been viewed in one of two ways: Some see it as a human-social problem that can only be tackled by throwing the entire state or local budget at it. Others think it is a...

Seattle has poured gasoline on the road-rage fire when the wide, isolated bike lanes were implemented on the streets . The bike lanes take up driving space and eliminate, what used to be, valued parking space. While the scowls are sharp, I spread my arms freely and bask in the glory letting go of what...